Integrated Population Models: Achieving Their Potential

Abstract Precise and accurate estimates of abundance demographic rates are primary quantities interest within wildlife conservation management. Such provide insight into population trends over time the associated underlying ecological drivers systems. This information is fundamental in managing ecosystems, assessing species status developing implementing effective policy. Observational monitoring data typically collected on populations using an array different survey protocols, dependent questions interest. For each these designs, a range advanced statistical techniques have been developed which well understood. However, often multiple types may exist for same under study. Analyzing set separately implicitly discards common contained other sets. An alternative approach that aims to optimize shared sets use “model-based integration” approach, or more commonly referred as “integrated model.” integrated modeling simultaneously analyzes all available single, robust, framework. paper provides overview models, with focus models (IPMs) include Four main challenges this area discussed, namely model specification, computational aspects, assessment forecasting. should encourage researchers explore further develop new practical tools ensure full utility can be made IPMs future studies.